unfiltered's Comments (107)

“The House wouldn't have passed it without the White House's approval.

You can try to argue that imposing 5 yr mandatory sentences on a couple grams of crack while slapping the writst of powder users wasn't a concocted scheme to disproportionately imprison blacks and other minorities. You can try to argue that connecting educational dollars to property taxes wasn't a ploy to make sure minorities stayed in the economic sloughs of our society though education is the number one, by a large margin, predictor of future economic success. You can even argue that the "investing in stocks" key to retirement isn't casino ideology when monkeys have proven to perform as well as our most celebrated investors, who rise to fame from exploiting laws and relationships, not some expert analysis of company fundamentals.

But, there's no way that lifetime pro-choice advocates and Nancy Pelosi voted for or allowed the passage of a bill limiting women's choice unless it was some political strategy for the democratic party to appeal to independents.

And, I'm certain Obama and his administration approved that strategy, regardless of the rhetoric.

Some issues aren't to be politicized. I'm sure glad independents aren't split over equal rights to minorities; then, the House may have added a repeal of the Civil Rights Act to its Cap-n-Trade legislation.”

“I'm done. I'd rather fight tooth and nail for a loser with conviction than support a winner whose integrity is malleable. I don't support playing politics on issues that have such a direct impact in fairness, justice, or safety on the lives of the American people.
The administration's tacit approval of the Stupak ammendment was a dealbreaker for my active support of this administration. They're playing games in order to create heroes out of people struggling for re-election. But my strong advice follows: don't point a gun even if you have no intention to shoot.
On women's rights, minority rights, the environment's rights, science's rights, etc. where a majority of the public may support failed, offensive, or barbaric policies, only unwavering principle stands on the right side of history. This president has failed to define his. I don't believe the quest for independents will define them for him.”

“What a shift and what a "warning?"

The two that won pretended to be democrats: Obama commercials, scrubbed word "republican" from websites and commercials, even used blue backgrounds and ran on Democratic messages.

The one that didn't lost, even after a candidate dropped out to help secure victory.

Those in position to be held accountable for their states fiscal woes lost their jobs; but, in the absence of direct accountability, it went to the democrat..­.even in the area that never voted for one.

This result actually proves the popularity of the democratic message and the burning desire for Americans to hold people who fail responsible. If Washington had any doubt about America's desire to fire the management on Wall Street or if conservatives ever thought it didn't require a Democratic costume to win, yesterday's election results are just another example of the ideals Americans currently hold.

Unfortunately, it may also me that the gay marriage movement needs to retool and employ another strategy because largely America's not ready for that yet.”

“Confidence shouldn't be driven by exclusivity or riches. And, it shouldn't be protected by creating barriers to others. I would hope that Sergey Brin's comment focuses us not just on what subjects to teach, but also illuminates the value that confidence has in driving success and motivating others.

It allows you to weather failures and have hope when it hardly seems justified. It helps you manage stress and be happy during the travails of life. After Cliff Lee mowed down the Yankees hitters in the first game of the World Series he quoted three things, I suspect of equal importance, to which he attributed his success: putting in the work, having trust in your teammates, and confidence.

In addition to the internet and computers, we need to work hard toward bringing confidence into our classrooms.”

“So, this is the mindset of the elite. Having lived life as one of the few capable, Sergey fears being kicked out the club of exclusivity? Welcome to the daily lives of minorities, the poor, or those simply not well connected who already realize the threat to confidence he fears. I can't help but now empathize with the racist, the climate-change denier, or the champion of 'trickle-down economics.­" Life must be good with the deck stacked in your favor.

If Sergei focused his thoughts on trying to improve confidence or figured out better ways to teach students to be the best for themselves instead of some self-made motivational ploy, he would not only help the thousands for which he sympathizes but also the millions that will benefit from technology's hand.

Perhaps he doesn't deserve the tone. And, I truly thank him for bringing me into his world. But this is the mentality that stops progress, that which is often rooted in the selfish desire to maintain power or wealth, stature or exclusivity.

That way of thinking is limited and unfortunate. I'm sorry he feels that way.”

“just rewatched.­..you're right, it played differently for me live. maybe i'm just not used to 100 word questions. i don't watch fox so I didn't know this was the new "journalis­m.". it definitely makes for good entertainment.”

“ratigan was completely belligerent and all the backslapping going on in these comments make me feel like this is the national review for dems.

i agree with ratigan but this does nothing but justify the false equivalency conservatives use to justify the birthers, the "he's a muslim'ers", etc.

disagree without being disagreeable? just a sales pitch to most of you”

“maybe your provider..­.i've been good entire show”

“oj faced the justice system.

i'm in agreement with disdain toward judges being bought, juries rigged, and videotape beatings ignored (i guess i added that one...we can go tit for tat but i'm sure you agree i have more bullets). but at least that's actually using the only system we have.

again, when has a black in this country's history been allowed to avoid the system? the silence is deafening.”

“if oj "may have faced the justice system" then OJ don't count

this is the struggle people have with those that are quick to dismiss "the race card." they deny any racial factor but can't name a similar acquittal or dismissal or blind eye when it comes to blacks. i'd love for some examples..­.maybe then i'd diminish its importance too”

“and considering her years on "Court TV" as an acting "legal expert" if anyone deserves the title it is her”

“and he does it in the open”

“he forgot? he had a house there. instead of taking someone's comments as race being the be all end all reason...w­hy don't you admit that race could have played a part...and probably did considering that no person of any non-white race has ever dodged the judicial process in the OPEN”

“name a black who's been allowed to get away with not facing the justice system for any crime in this country's history...­let alone a crime that prisoners punish you for committing.”

“Let's be real. What are we doing outside of reading our favorite liberal blogs and writing comments on stories that rile up our emotions?

Barney Frank said the marching, especially without media coverage, is a waste of time. Obama seems to be purposely putting off the marquee causes in order to piss us off.

They know the mechanisms that lead to change. And, if the left is to even out the playing field, we should model those that are successful: NRA, AARP, etc.

We want out of Afghanistan, largely, but our efforts have been relegated to what we can accomplish from the toilet with a laptop. We want equal rights for all but expect our bedroom efforts to change the trajectory of the nation.

Yet, when Obama is rewarded the Nobel from instilling hope in life and peace in most of the developing world, billions of people, partly from PROVING a check in power for Whites in the world, we suggest that he hasn't done much, though no one in the history of the world has ever influenced the number and range of people across borders,cultures, religions, or races.

At some point, we need to realize that writing and talking about change ain't enough. We need to act.”

“she also had a heart defect, but that info doesn't help sell vaccines”

“Readers please beware.

After experiencing the media's propaganda during the Iraq war, we should be skeptical. Writers on both sides of the ideological spectrum would stand in line to be the next Judith Miller.

First, we were in Afghanistan to defeat al-Qaeda. The public was directed to Helmand province. A few drone strikes and terrorist kills later and we've reduced the number of al-Qaeda to less than 100. But, that wasn't captivating enough.

So then, the media monolithically began to conflate al-Qaeda with the Taliban (eerily similar to the way Saddam Hussein was always mentioned with 9/11). Thousands of troops for 100 guys is a tough sale to the American public, especially if we announce progress.

Did you know we killed the most wanted man in Pakistan, the guy who killed Benazir Bhutto? Every media outlet covered her death, but few covered us killing the guy responsible. Our soldiers have killed explosives' experts, operations' leaders, and leaders of various terror sects within al-Qaeda and the terror-inducing sects of the Taliban, but the media silence on these gains has been deafening. That info doesn't help sell more war.

But, HuffPost is left of center. Maybe, but the first 24 hours of the Roman Polanski coverage was eye-opening. It took thousands of comments and an undisclosed number of emails to get anti-rapist articles on the site.

Lobbyists win. And, if the truth won't work, there's always the Judith Miller way. Readers beware.”

“A brilliant director sexually abused a child. This criminal fled consequence of his actions but has only been defended by this site.

There are four posts detailing factual events; two posts in his defense; a writeup detailing his brilliance; and a post encouraging conversation of our personal faves from his creation.

I seek more balanced coverage or a defense of the editorial board's position. Or, I will forever abandon this site.

I am making every effort to give you the benefit of doubt because I am one of the biggest fans of this site -check my IP address, calling me a fervent or voracious reader would be a mild description. And, inspired to 'disagree without being disagreeable,' I am willing to listen should you publish a blog defense of your coverage.

I am attracted to the intellectual honesty of the debates and the increased coverage written from the perspective in which I see the world. You will be missed and I may be worse off. But, I will never compromise my values by supporting a site that has from ignorance or intent supported the sexual assault of a child in this country.

Laws change and I understand the shifting nature of society's stand on the social issues we face. I acknowledge such, but even the most wretched and heinous in our world -some of those in our prison system- consider that this is a crime that crosses the line.

I truly hope for positive response.”

“I have a hard time understanding why the Boise State player is accused only of taunting, through media everywhere, when he pushed the Oregon player. Then, the immediate punch, almost facetiously, gets called a "sucker punch."

Why? Because "Boise State" players can get in the face of "Oregon" players, after the game ends, then push them to no consequence?
Blount was wrong and justly deserves the punishment he received. But, its hard to observe the reporting of this incident, even in the most liberal of sites, and feel that it was measured or fair.

And, with race being a part of this story, it's difficult to think it played no part.”

“Is it against the law to provoke the police in your own house if you pose no threat?

Please tell me the law where I have to be nice. We're nice out of genuine respect. But, I didn't think that reverence and respect for the police is demanded by law. I'd love for anyone to help clarify this because though I don't endorse mean spirits, we encounter this from all types of people. And, I didn't think that they are granted more rights than anyone of us who has been in this situation.

I think there's a reason that Obama considers empathy such an important character trait in a Supreme Court Justice. If I was police in southern AZ, I'd have to consider the idea that perhaps Hispanics think I'm bothering them out of suspicion they're illegals. The systemic and historical relationship between Blacks and the police has led Blacks throughout America to be least likely of all races to have a working relationship with law enforcement. It's not a leap to consider that demanding a homeowner inside the home to give I.D. to feel that this interaction is unjust, particularly if you opened the door to get in from the rear.

Tell me that if I'm not a nice guy, I should be arrested. Then, show me the law that supports that. If they were so "right," why did they drop the charges?”

“sounds like the poor little rich kid who doesn't want to use any of his inheritance to pay for daddy's funeral”

“how much has the city made off michael jackson? something tells me it greatly exceeds the 1.4M it coughed up for the memorial.”

“In the day in which broadcast networks are constantly recycling reality shows and considering putting infomercials on due to the declining viewership of tv, it's certainly fair to compare absolute numbers to decades ago...if this were Fox.”

“we knew this was going on, but has it gotten so bad that they have to advertise pay-to-play?”

“IF YOU'RE ALIVE, YOU CAN VOTE. ANYTHING ELSE IS BS”